Ohio Correspondent

DES PLAINES, Ill. — As occupational injuries and illnesses continue to increase in the agricultural industry, last week the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) offered farm-related safety and health tips as part of National Farm Safety and Health Week.

“Many agricultural injuries and illnesses can be prevented by taking proper measures to eliminate or protect workers from farm hazards. Farm hazards can be identified and corrected by using a farm hazard checklist,” said ASSE Director of Member/Regional Affairs and agricultural safety specialist Dr. Terry Wilkinson.

“We urge farmers to contact their state or local cooperative extension, Farm Bureau office or National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Agricultural Center, which provide programs such as farm safety camps, resources, training and more aimed at preventing farm-related injuries.”

In 2006 alone, there were 646 workplace fatalities for the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Most farm-related accidents are caused by machinery, with tractor accidents accounting for a high rate of fatalities. Agriculture is also one of the most dangerous industries for young workers.

“Despite engineering advancements, many farm deaths occur during the operation of a farm tractor, with the most common cause being tractor overturns,” Wilkinson said. “Farmers should familiarize themselves with the equipment operator’s manual, the best source for information for preventing tractor and farm equipment-related injuries and fatalities.

“Conducting regular equipment inspections can also help prevent farm-related injuries by detecting and fixing equipment problems before use.”

As most farms do not fall under the auspices of Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules and regulations, ASSE urges parents to train young farmers well in all aspects of farming, including safety. Children are at special risk from farm-related accidents. Most of the 200-plus deaths among children on farms result from being innocent bystanders or passengers on farm equipment. Surveys indicate that many farm children are working in dangerous environments by the age of 10.

Young farmers can enroll in a local farm safety camp, often sponsored by the local county extension service, a university or Farm Bureau.

To assist young workers and their parents, ASSE developed a free brochure titled, Workplace Safety Guide for New Workers, which provides tips on how young workers and parents can identify workplace hazards.

It is online at www.asse.org/ newsroom

Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (FS4JK) is another organization that offers workshops and training on keeping youngsters safe on the farm. The mission of FS4JK is to promote a safe farm environment to prevent health hazards, injuries and fatalities to children and youth. It was founded in 1987 by Marilyn Adams, who lost her son the previous year when he suffocated in a gravity flow wagon of shelled corn.

Last month, nearly 40 individuals participated in a FS4JK workshop held in Dublin, Ohio.

Participants learned about identifying potential dangers, learning the consequences of injuries, discovering how to prevent injury and determining ways to teach others.

In an effort to assist the farming community, ASSE offers these following safety tips:

•Develop an awareness of hazards on the farm and prepare for emergency situations, including machinery entanglements, fires, vehicle accidents, electrical shocks from equipment and adverse health effects from chemical exposures.

•Reduce the risk of injury and illness with preventive measures, such as reading and following the instructions in equipment operators’ manuals as well as following instructions on product labels for safe use, handling and storage.

•Conduct routine equipment inspections to determine problems and potential failures that may contribute to or cause an accident. Properly maintain tools, buildings and equipment.

•Conduct meetings with employees and family members to assess safety hazards, discuss potential accident situations and outline emergency procedures.

•Provide approved Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS). Use seat belts while the tractor is in operation on tractors equipped with ROPS.

•Make sure guards for farm equipment are put back on after maintenance to protect workers from moving machinery parts. •Review Material Safety Data Sheets and labels that come with all chemical products.

•Communicate information concerning hazards to all workers. Prevent pesticide poisonings and dermatitis caused by chemicals by ensuring that protective measures recommended on the labels are taken.

•Take necessary precautions to prevent entrapment and suffocation caused by unstable surfaces of grain storage bins, silos, wagons and other storage structures.

•Be aware that methane gas, carbon dioxide, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide can be present in unventilated grain silos and manure pits in quantities sufficient to cause asphyxiation or explosion.

•Farmers are at great risk of contracting respiratory problems due to the amount of dust and chemicals they breathe in on a daily basis. Wearing protective equipment, which is readily available, can prevent acute and chronic respiratory illnesses. Protective equipment such as mechanical filters and chemical cartridge masks are air-purifying respirators that help protect lungs from harmful gases and dusts.

Founded in 1911, Des Plaines-based ASSE is the largest and oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment.

Its more than 30,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor and education.

For more information, check its website at www.asse.org

This farm news was published in the Sept. 26, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.